Cataphoric electrode



' Dec. 17; 1929.

c F. HONEY CATPHORIC ELECTRODE Filed June l1. 1928 m T. T.. A

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Patented Dec. 17, 1929 UNITED STATES CHARLES F. HONEY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO CATAPHORIC ELECTRODE Application filed .Tune 11,

The electrode is designed principally for the use of the physician, surgeon, electrotherapeutist, etc. in orificial treatments and especially in those which require the use of 5 the galvanic current for the introduction of elements, salts drugs or chemicals into the tissues of the body and for producing local anesthesia for operative purposes without the use of hypodermic syringe.

Fig. 1 is a section through the electrode; Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 show interchangeable tips.

An insulating handle 1 is attached to a hollow bronze casting 2. A metallic tube 3 is attached to said casting 2 as shown at 4 in line 15 with handle 1. An insulating sleeve 5 surrounds the greater part of said tube 3 being conveniently threaded onto the tube 3 as shown at 6 whereby the insulating sleeve 5 is held securely in position and can not drop E 2o when using heavy copper tips 7, 8 or 9, one of which is screwed onto the projecting portion 10 of the tube 3 against a soft rubber washer 11. The bore 16 of the casting 2 communicates with a supply channel 12 which connects through the supply valve 13 to an ordinary rubber bulb 14 equipped as usual with a suction valve in the suction line 15. The bore 16 connects with the before mentioned metallic tube 3 and thereby communication is had for liquid from said suction line 15 to the interior of whichever copper tip 77 8 or 9 is in use, and thence through a series of small holes 17 therein to the outside of the copper tip into the layer of cotton 18 which has been wrapped around the copper tip and over which is drawn and securely fastened as by a cord 19 in a groove 20 in the insulating sleeve 5, a permeable membrane of gold beaters skin commonly known as a fish skin membrane 21. The casting 2 is also provided with a small air vent tube 22 in the central channel 16 which tube is soldered at 23 into the air relief port 24 which is controlled by an air relief valve 25 screwed into said air relief ,port 24. Said air vent tube 22 extends through the metallic tube 3 and into the copper tip 7, 8 or 9 where the end of the air vent tube 22 is bent up and equipped with a piece of soft rubber tubing 26 with notches 27 in the end thereof. 50 The purpose of this rubber tubing 26 is t0 1928. Serial No. 284,491.

bring the air vent to the highest point possible within the copper tip which is of course in contact with the upper wall thereof.

A drain valve 27a also communicates with the central channel 16 in the casting 2 and a 55 suitable connection 28 is provided on said casting for the tip 29 of the electric cord 30.

In use the end 4of rubber tube 15 is immersed into the liquid to be used in the treatment and bulb 14 is compressed and allowed to eX- 60 pand, thus lling itself. Electrodes 7, 8 or 9 whichever one is used, is now inserted in the orifice to be treated and as the muscular tissues firmly grasp or bear upon the electrode, the air which has been trapped within the membrane 21 is passed into the hollow electrode thru the perforations 17.

Valves 25 and 13 are opened and bulb 14 is squeezed which forces the liquid thru the delivery channel 12 into the hollow electrode, 70 displacing the air trapped within which escapes thru the air outlet tube 22 via valve 25 to the outside and when liquid appears at 25 all the air has been expelled from the electrode and valve 25 is then closed and bulb 14 fur- 75 ther slightly compressed causing liquid to thoroly saturate the cotton 18 surrounding the electrode within the membrane 21.

The proper electrical connections having been made, the treatment may begin which may be diathermy, followed by positive or negative galvanism as may be indicated and then by the proper massage or sinusoidal current if desired, without in the least disturbking the patient while changing modality and Without disturbing the electrode.

Should local anesthesia be first required as in a surgical operation, it may be produced by using a suitable anesthetic in liquid form in the electrode and the proper current applied for the time necessary to produce anesthesia without recourse to the hypodermic syringe.

This electrode may be used with either the Tesla, DArsonval or galvanic current or changed from'one modality to another without disturbing the patient.

The liquid used may be renewed within electrodes 7 8 or 9 and membrane 21 by simply 100 opening valve 13 and slightly squeezing bulb 14 a few times.

In its use much time is saved in preparation; all messy Work obviated; danger of spilling the solution used on the patients clothing or bedding eliminated; it is small and easily handled and cleaned.

It is compact and self contained. With it, the use of the galvanic current With its chemical or polar eiiects becomes a pleasure to both patient and operator and notas in the past, something to be avoided if possible.

Electrodes 7, 8 and 9 are for use Vin all rectal, vaginal and pelvic disorders in which electricity in some form is indicated.

The inside of this electrode `Which comes in contact With the solution used, may be protected by an asphal-tum compound With Which vit' is coated, from the chemical and electrolytic actionoil the compounds liberated by the action of the electric current or the liquids and cannot corrode or attack its Walls.

No air pockets can remain Within the membrane as all the air is displaced by the liquid and drained to the outside thru air outlet tube and valve 25 thereby insuring the complete surrounding of the electrode by the liquid used thus leaving no bare untreated areas and producing uniformly .gratifying results.

I claim: v

1. A cataphoric electrode comprising a .conducting tube provided with a perforated -tip Y having a flexible permeable covering, means to supply liquid into the tube and tip, and an .air vent from the interior of the tip.

2. A cataphoric electrode 'as in claim 1, the

covering consisting of absorbent material land an outer flexible skin.

3. A lcataphoric electrode ras in Aclaim 1, .the

air vent and liquid supply means having ciitofi1 valves to trap the liquid in the instrument. 4. A cataphoric electrode as in claim 1,1the

air ventcomprising a tube extending through the conducting tube and into the tip.

5. A cataphoric electrode comprising a hollow casting having .a liquid supply inlet Aand an air vent, a conducting tube progecting from said casting and provided at its front end with a hollow perforated metallic tip, anda flexible permeable covering on said tip.

6. A ca'taphoric electrode comprising a .hollow casting having an insulated handle, a liq- A' uid supply, an air vent, and an electrical connection, a conducting tube projecting from said casting a perforated hollori metal tip fon the front end of said tube, and a flexible permeable covering on the tip.

ture.

CHARLES I". HONEY.

In testimony whereof, I do aliix my signa- 

